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Things To Do In Edmonton For The Perfect Day Trip

What to do, eat and see in Alberta's capital.
By 

Senior Editor Of Video Programming & Insights, HuffPost Canada

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Edmonton isn't exactly a city you'll find on many travellers' bucket lists — it's more of a place people find themselves happily ending up in.

Just ask Michael Cook.

The new father bounced around Canadian cities before settling in Alberta's capital. But despite having a job and family in the city, he still feels like he's missing out on that special something Edmontonians hold close to their hearts.

And that's where "Like A Tourist" host Emily Anonuevo comes into play. Watch as they check out some of the city's fun spots in hopes of finding the missing connection for Mike.

What To See: Elk Island Park

Elk Island National Park, Improvement District No. 13

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Ask anyone to name two of Alberta's national parks and they're likely to spit out "Jasper" and "Banff". But if you're looking for something a little different, it's worth checking out Elk Island National Park. Located less than an hour's drive away from Edmonton International Airport, this conservation area has played a role in saving the bison population from extinction.

What To Do: Be A Kid Again At The West Edmonton Mall

8882 170 St., Edmonton

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There are malls and then there is the West Edmonton Mall. If shopping isn't your thing but you're looking for something to do indoors, WEM has plenty for kids and adults alike. Whether it's indoor ice skating during the winter and spring months or cooling off at the world's largest indoor wave pool, there's something worth checking out year-round.

Where To Eat: Kitchen By Brad

#101, 10130-105 St., Edmonton

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If you're looking for a more upscale experience in Edmonton (or an all-cotton-candy diet isn't in the cards), check out Kitchen by Brad. Chef Brad Smoliak has cooked for the likes of Queen Elizabeth II, Canada's Olympic athletes and perhaps even you.

Guests watch him cook the meal over three hours. It spans five courses with wine and bubbly included. Smoliak focuses on dishes using local ingredients as often as possible so if you're looking to taste Alberta, this is a good place to start.

Want to see more of Canada? Check out more cities with "Like A Tourist":

Victoria

Calgary

Vancouver

Also on HuffPost:

Edmonton's Best Bakeries
Duchess Bake Shop(01 of36)
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People can't stop raving about Duchess Bake Shop in the city's northwest, and for good reason -- people consistently line-up day in and day out for the shop's high-end pastries and macarons.And the store's not holding out on their recipes, either. In fact, they've recently launched a cookbook to share some of the secrets behind their delectable desserts! (credit:Facebook)
Duchess Bake Shop(02 of36)
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What's good?Our Facebook friends tells us the macarons, chocolate brioche, sour cream cherry pie, almond roissants, financiers, lemon meringue cake, key lime tart, and lemon tart are ALL to DIE for. Oh, and the banana cream pie. Sounds like you should just have one of everything. (credit:Facebook)
Duchess Bake Shop(03 of36)
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Location: 10720 124 Street NWPhone: (780) 488-4999Website (credit:Facebook)
Bon Ton Bakery(04 of36)
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Bon Ton Bakery, which has been serving Edmonton for nearly 60 years, is known for their Europen-style baked goods and fresh breads that feature all-natural ingredients. No preservatives here, folks! (credit:Facebook)
Bon Ton Bakery(05 of36)
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What's good?The Heirloom Park Wheat Bread, the Amandine Croissants, and the Christmastime Rumballs, and the Cinnamon Bread are all favourites of our Facebook friends. (credit:Facebook)
Bon Ton Bakery(06 of36)
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Location: 8720 - 149 StreetPhone: (780) 489-7717Website (credit:Facebook)
Fifendekel Pie Shop Cafe(07 of36)
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Part lunch place, part pie heaven, the Fifendekel has been filling bellies and satiating Edmonton's sweet-fiends for over 30 years. (credit:Facebook)
Fifendekel Pie Shop Cafe(08 of36)
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What's good?The pie! Try all 14 flavours! And then after you eat an entire pie, try a sandwich or salad for dessert. (credit:Facebook)
Fifendekel Pie Shop Cafe(09 of36)
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Location: Edmonton South 9114 - 51 Avenue, Edmonton South 3434 - 99 Street, Edmonton North 12028 - 149 Street, Edmonton West 10646 - 170 StreetPhone: (780) 465-4444Website (credit:Facebook)
Confetti Sweets (Sherwood Park)(10 of36)
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The cookies at Confetti Sweets in Sherwood Park are so good, they fed them to the celebrities at this year's Academy Awards! That's right -- Kathy Leskow, the shop's owner, was invited to the Oscars and had a table in the star swag room. But Confetti's cookies aren't just for the rich and famous. People travel from all over to the storefront in Sherwood Park to pick up these amazing sweet treats. (credit:Facebook)
Confetti Sweets (Sherwood Park)(11 of36)
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What's good?The Chocolate Coconut cookies, the Peanut Butter-Choco Chunk Cookies, the Gingersnap cookies. (credit:Facebook)
Confetti Sweets (Sherwood Park)(12 of36)
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Location: 41 Broadway Blvd.Phone: (780) 570-5080Website (credit:Facebook)
Calico Baking Company(13 of36)
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A visit to the Calico Baking Company is a must when you visit the Mothers Market on Saturdays and Sundays. They have something for everyone -- including special biscuits for dogs! You can also pick up homemade hot dog and hamburger buns from the Acme Meat Market. (credit:Facebook)
Calico Baking Company(14 of36)
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What's good?The Pear and Walnut bread, the Scones, the Bacon Peanut Butter Biscuits for dogs, and the Chocolate Croissants! (credit:Facebook)
Calico Baking Company(15 of36)
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Location: 11068 95th Street NWPhone: (587) 520-0028Website (credit:Facebook)
Dutch Delicious(16 of36)
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Can we just say this wedding cake makes us want to crash this wedding just so we can try a bite? Dutch Delicious offers incredible Dutch treats in store, via their bakery and deli, and you can even stick around to browse through a selection of goodies and homewares imported from Holland and the rest of Europe. (credit:Facebook)
Dutch Delicious(17 of36)
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What's good?Bread that's baked fresh everyday, the Almond Torte, Mocha Cake Squares, and the Dutch Raisin Bread. (credit:Facebook)
Dutch Delicious(18 of36)
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Location: 13232-118th AvePhone: (780) 455-2323Website (credit:Facebook)
Baltyk Bakery(19 of36)
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This is THE place to do in Edmonton for Slavic treats. The decor and storefront are unassuming, but you won't find a more complete selection of Polish doughnuts, cheesecakes, breads, and pastries anywhere else. (credit:Facebook)
Baltyk Bakery(20 of36)
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What's good?The plum jam-filled doughnuts, the fresh breads, and the coffee cakes. (credit:Facebook)
Baltyk Bakery(21 of36)
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Location: 10557 Kingsway NWPhone: (780) 428-2207Website (credit:Facebook)
Clever Rabbit(22 of36)
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This vegan and vegetarian restaurant is part bakery, part delicious lunch spot that has become a favourite of many Edmontonians. Fans claim you'd never know you were eating vegan baked goods...the lack of egg and dairy is not evident in these tasty treats. (credit:Faceook)
Clever Rabbit(23 of36)
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What's good?The 'Oreo' cookies, the donuts, and the breakfast waffles. (credit:Faceook)
Clever Rabbit(24 of36)
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Location: 10724 124 STPhone: (780) 455-4550Website (credit:Faceook)
Over the Top Cakes (St. Albert)(25 of36)
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Over the Top Cakes makes some seriously impressive cakes. Not only are their designs stuffing, but they only use top-of-the-line ingredients (think Callebaut chocolate, real dairy butter, Madagascar vanilla, Dutch cocoa, etc...) Over the Top can make you a custom order or come up with the perfect wedding or birthday cake design. (credit:Facebook)
Over the Top Cakes (St. Albert)(26 of36)
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What's good?The cakes! Not only are they delicious, but each one is a perfect work of art! (credit:Facebook)
Over the Top Cakes (St. Albert)(27 of36)
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Location: 2 Sir Winston Churchill AvePhone: (780) 458-2922Website (credit:Facebook)
Dauphine Bakery and Bistro(28 of36)
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Dauphine Bakery (formerly Queen of Tarts) is one of those places where you'll stop for a coffee and treat and never want to leave. In addition to a vast array of incredible baked goods, they also offer cozy in-house seating...the perfect place to study, read a book, or catch up with an old friend. (credit:Facebook)
Dauphine Bakery and Bistro(29 of36)
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What's good?The Flourless Chocolate Cake, the Butter Tarts, the macarons and any of the lemon desserts. (credit:Facebook)
Dauphine Bakery and Bistro(30 of36)
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Location: 10129 104 St NWPhone: (780) 421-4410Website (credit:Facebook)
Sugar & Spiced Baked Goods(31 of36)
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For the past two years, Sugared & Spiced Baked Goods has made The Tomato's Top 100 best things to eat or drink in Edmonton, and for good reason -- chef Amy's attention to detail and creative cookie combinations have been winning attention across Alberta. Right now, you can find Sugar's goods being sold at Café Bicyclette, but they also take catering and custom orders. (credit: Facebook)
Sugar & Spiced Baked Goods(32 of36)
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What's good?The Man’s Man’s Cookie (with chocolate peanut butter cups and bacon), Girls Night Out Cookies (credit: Facebook)
Sugar & Spiced Baked Goods(33 of36)
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Location: Café Bicyclette (at La Cité Francophone - 8627 91st)Website (credit: Facebook)
Passion de France(34 of36)
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Passion de France is a relative new-kid-on-the-block in the Edmonton bakery scene, but by no means should it be overlooked! In addition to a large selection of French pastries and sweets, Passion also offers savoury foods, like soups and sandwiches. (credit:Facebook)
Passion de France(35 of36)
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What's good?The homemade truffles, the Megeve cake, the Pain au chocolate, the croissants. (credit:Facebook)
Passion de France(36 of36)
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Location: 11812 - 86 StreetPhone: (780) 257-2092Website (credit:Facebook)

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